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Proclamation of 1763
Implemented by the British on the colonies after the French and Indian War. Banned all settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains in fears that the natives already living there would disrupt trade. This was ignored by the colonists. -
The Stamp Act
Passed by British Parliament. Placed a tax on printed materials such as newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. The colonists were angered by this and formed the Sons of Liberty in response. They then began to boycott British goods until eventually the act was repealed in 1766. -
Townshend Acts
Placed an import tax on items like glass, lead, and tea. These taxes were used by the British to pay for their military costs. The colonists opposed this because they did not give consent to a standing army in the colonies. Instead of repealing it however, the British enforced this act by sending British troops to the colonies -
Boston Massacre
Britain's response to the opposition of the Townshend Acts was to send troops over to the colonies to enforce their laws. During a confrontation between a group of angry colonists, troops open-fired on the crowd and killed five colonists. -
The Tea Act
Allowed the British East India Tea Company to have a monopoly on all tea sales in the colonies. This put local tea merchants out of business and angered the colonists yet again. -
Boston Tea Party
Members of the Sons of Liberty boarded three British ships that were docked in Boston harbor dressed as Mohawk Indians and proceeded to dump 342 containers of tea into the water -
Intolerable Acts
Also called the Coercive Acts. This was Britain's response to how the colonists were acting. This act closed Boston's port, revoked the colonies charter, and ordered that food and housing be provided for all of the British troops that were stationed in the colonies. -
First Continental Congress
Met in Philadelphia. Comprised of representatives of the colonies. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to respond to the actions of the British. They decided to remain loyal to Britain but also claim their rights. King George considered those who stood for these ideas rebels and ordered to have the rebellion stopped. -
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The Revolutionary War
Fighting begins in Lexington, Massachusetts in 1775 when British and colonial troops clash. The colonists lose at least 18 men in this skirmish. The British then continue on their way to Concord only to be surprised by colonial minutemen who manage to either kill or wound a total of 273 British troops. The war continues from there, with the eventual ally of France on the colonies' side, until the British surrender after the Battle of Yorktown.
